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-------------------------------------------------------- Which political issues are you most passionate about? I could be writing all day just to pin point exactly which political issue I am most passionate about. I would be a fool not to say public transport is my passion. This formed my UKYP election manifesto, but it is an issue that affects not only me, but hundreds of thousands if not millions of young people every week. Although compared to the economy and the environment, there is a great injustice in transport and there needs to be a wakeup call in local and national government. What do you feel is the biggest issue for young people in your constituency? Without a shadow of a doubt, riding off the success of Kent Youth County Council’s successful initiative ‘Freedom Pass’, much more needs change in the state of Kent’s public transport. This is one of the main factors why transport was my manifesto anchor. What do you hope to achieve during your term of office? Hope is a word I do not understand; I will force progress and change in UK Youth Parliament’s ‘Get on Board – Cheaper Bus Fares for Young People’ campaign. This is a call to action as three significant opportunities have arisen in upcoming rail franchises’ renewal nationally. This is the time for young people, Members of Youth Parliament to stand up, speak up, and public transport companies listen. Lower bus fares, raise the age of standardisation, making sure value for money is found in bus frequencies in rural areas and peak time progress on trains for young people. What is your future career ambition? Ambition is a word I do not often hear touted around by young people, a foundation stone in the future careers of the builders, teachers, doctors, journalists and politicians, as the next decade is not too far off now. My personal ambition is to become an international journalist reporting on the stories that people do not necessary get to see as they do to hear. However, the four most important qualities in youth politics: be innovative, think creatively, scrutinise and hold people to account by asking the right questions is also applied to journalism across the board and this is what I am to do, my passion and my pride. Which public figure do you most admire and why? Well I admire the journalists right in the heart of a situation caught in the heat of tension, risking their lives to bring the story to us. The likes of John Simpson, Christiane Amanpour and now at the forefront, Alex Crawford, Dan Rivers and many others especially the print journalists right here, right now. If there was one message you could send to the government, what would it be? Every crucial decision you make without the direct involvement of young people affects our lives. Is it no wonder there is a lack of trust and belief in you? Am I apathetic, apologetic or just ambiguous and disingenuous? Additional comments: You may find me on a newspaper, news broadcast or hear me on the radio one day in the future. For now I will stick to reporting local news for my local paper whilst I carry out my role with the BBC Trust Regional Audience Council - www.bbc.co.uk/england/ace/regional/southeast/danny_lee/. Don’t forget you will find me Squawking near enough every day on the current affairs blog for young people around the world at www.todaytonightdaily.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- East Midlands | East of England | London | North East | North West | Scotland | South East | South West | Wales | West Midlands | Yorkshire & Humberside
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